Salvia involucrata ‘Bethellii’

I always feel a bit gloomy as summer stumbles into autumn. I got a whiff of a lone sweet pea the other day and it really confused my senses. All around, I could see piles of leaves on the ground, but this most summery of scents got my hopes up for a second. This Salvia ‘Bethellii’ is another hope-inducing plant. How can such a thrilling bloom still be giving its all at the end of October?

This plant has been happily growing in the heaviest of London clay soils, and I’ve been intrigued (and delighted) by its ability to survive a couple of the coldest of winters and one of the wettest of summers (in 2012) we’ve had in recent years. On the RHS website, it advises to plant this half-hardy perennial in light, moderately fertile soils, but further research reveals that in its native Mexico, this plant grows at the edge of forests, so this may be a reason why it copes so well in this richer (and heavier) soil.

To accommodate this eye-catching Salvia, you’ll need a sizeable plot as it’s a whopper of a plant, about 5 ft tall and equally wide,

and although it’s starting to get rather rangey and floppy as we near the first frosts, arguably, it’s still the most gorgeous (and exotic) bloom around at the moment.

I say arguably, as I noticed a couple of other contenders in the garden today. This showy Camellia sasanqua was still looking spiffingly jolly and uplifting in the rain,

and this playful Persicaria orientalis (a late self -seeder) was also rather splendid and somewhat heartening.

Three (shockingly pink) reasons to be cheerful , even if you do hate the fact that the clocks have gone back and it’s already dark by 5 o’clock.

P.S.

This annual Persicaria seems to have caught a few eyes, so here’s some tasty combinations from other gardens. This first one is at Great Dixter with the Persicaria orientalis dancing round the heads of Rosa Florence Mary Morse.

And finally, combining with the beautifully airy Calamagrostis brachytrichum, Asters and the kinky white wands of Actaea atropurpurea in the Jardin Plume in Normandy. Dreaming of summer all over again!

23 Responses

It’s great to see any colour at this time of the year but just remember that in a country such as ours with seasons there is always something to look forward to such as the snowdrops which will start to emerge anytime soon in preparation of flowering right after Christmas which is only around the corner!!

Ah Cheryl, I like your positive spin! I know I’ll love the snowdrops come February, but I still feel I have to lament the passing of warm sunny days before I can welcome the more delicate blooms of winter. Having said that, I did also get a (rather early?) whiff of a Sarcococca today-rather delicious!

I hate how early it gets dark now that they have messed with the clocks. Wish they would just leave us with BST all year. That salvia is humongous, and yet so pretty. Don’t think I will try and squeeze one in though.

Hi Janet, I thought they were toying with the idea of not changing the clocks. Must start campaigning for next year!! Yes, this Salvia is a bit of a monster, but it works well in this garden as there’s plenty of space for it to do its glorious thing, and there’s plenty of other late flowers, such as Dahlias, to combine with to create a wonderful display.
P.s. When I have my own giant (walled) garden of my dreams, I’ll definitely grow (at least) one of these!

I have long coveted this salvia involucrata and it’s interesting to note that it flourishes on clay soil. We have 3 similar salvias (guaranitica, blue skies, bought 2009) which look dingy until very late October when they suddenly produce their blue flowers which hang on till mid December. The soil is definitely clay but they are at the top of a bed with a gentle slope and get morning sun.
I didn’t know pericaria orientalis but I shall look out for it.
Besides the autmn flowers you mention, our aconitum carmichaelii are still plump and blue and some clerodendron bungeii still have their pink cusions.. When autumn comes each ear I think it’s the best time in the garden because less expected. In late December and January and February there will still be the red andgold stems of cornus alba sibiricia and midwinter fire showing up through miscanthus and hrown into relief by evergreen ground cover<, epimedium, bergenia and arum

Hi Susan, Sounds like your have some gorgeous plants in your garden (and great successional planting to boot!!). I’m wondering where is your garden for Salvia blooms to last into December?
Perisicaria orientalis is an annual, and I’ve been delighted by its performance over the last couple of years. Great self-seeder too (and small seedlings seem happy to be moved around), so once grown, you’ll never have to sow seeds again.

It’s a private communal garden in Notting Hill, West London, between 2 tall terraces. I guess our salvia is in a particularly sheltered spot as we have had to fleece up Abutilons on. The same south facing side.
Thanks for your Interest. I love “Out of my shed”.
Kind regards
Susan Lynn
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Sounds like a nice and cosy spot for a tender-ish Salvia. Btw, Persicaria orientalis (aka Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate) seeds can be bought from Chiltern Seeds and from the nursery at Great Dixter. Chiltern Seeds note that this plant used to be popular in Victorian times, although not so widely seen these days.

I’ll give the seeds a go. Should I sow asap while the soil is warm and moist.? Pers icaria firetail romps away for us. Might look nice with lychnis coronaria which does well. What an Inspirational site.
Susan lynn
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Hi Susan, I was originally given seedlings and have only planted seeds from these in spring. Chiltern seeds note that they’re hardy annuals (although I’ve only noticed self-seeded seedlings late in spring), so it may be worth sowing some now and another batch in spring. Would be very interested to hear how you get on.

Will have to investigate that salvia further Naomi – it does look most attractive and I could do with some ‘hope inducers’:) Do you take cuttings as a back up? I’m glad to read that the persicaria orientalis self-seeds. I sowed some seed in late September – so far one seedling has germinated but hopefully others will follow come spring. If not I’ve kept a few seeds back for spring sowing.

Hi Anna, I’m ashamed to say that although it would have been wise to have taken cuttings, I haven’t done so. 😦 This may be down to the fact that I don’t have a proper greenhouse (only a tiny plastic one), but also because I guess if it doesn’t last the winters, then maybe it’s not the right plant for that place? Will let you know if it reappears next summer!
My P. orientalis self seeded prolifically this year. Great to have loads of seedlings to dot around the garden and to share with (delighted) friends. Hoping for a repeat performance, but should save some seeds too. Would be interested to know how your autumn sowings compare with your spring ones. P.S. Where did you get your seeds from? N x

I’m pretty sure you can tkae cutti g if salvias. Mayb e n aomi can advise best time. Ditfo me a nd s.guaranitica. I do it with abuTilons when I prune them in spring in a griTty compost with a plastic bag over the top. Worked better than the plastic greenhouse whi0h hasn’t bee. Much use. Hav e a go
Susan
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Enjoyed the postcript to this post Naomi and love the look of its partners at Le Jardin Plume. I got my persicaria orientalis seeds from Great Dixter Nurseries. They are also available from Derry Watkins’s Special Plants Nursery. The first seed to germinate is sadly no more but half a dozen have followed in its wake. They are looking healthy at the moment so I’m hoping that they come through the winter. Hope that your salvia makes it too.

Hi Ginny, I mentioned to Susan above that Persicaria orientalis (aka Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate) seeds can be bought from Chiltern Seeds and from the nursery at Great Dixter. Happy growing! p.s. Have added a few extra plant combinations from a couple of gardens whose use of Persicaria orientalis is rather inspiring.

Hi Jane,
We have. Blooms still on climbing iceberg, Winchester Cathedral and one big one on Charles rennie. MacIntosh. It would be good to know which varieties are still hanging on
Susan
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